🔧 Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Oil Change

Changing the oil and filter on your Explorer keeps the engine clean and helps prevent wear. This job is straightforward if you have safe access under the vehicle and the correct oil filter socket for the cartridge-style filter housing.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Let the engine cool for 20-30 minutes before draining oil. Hot oil can burn skin fast.
• Work on level ground and support the vehicle with jack stands. Never rely on a jack alone.
• Use caution around hot exhaust parts and the oil pan.
• Keep oil away from belts, pulleys, and drive belts. Clean any spills right away.
• Do not overfill the engine. Too much oil can cause leaks and engine damage.
• No battery disconnect is required for this service.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan
• 15mm socket
• 1/2-inch ratchet
• Oil filter socket (specialty)
• Torque wrench
• Funnel
• Clean shop towels
• Oil filter cap wrench adapter (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-20 synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter element - Qty: 1
• Oil filter cap O-ring - Qty: 1
• Drain plug washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• Warm oil drains faster, but do not work on a hot engine.
• Have the new oil and filter ready before opening the drain plug.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the vehicle

• Use the floor jack to raise the front of the Explorer at the proper lift points.
• Place the vehicle on jack stands and confirm it is stable before going underneath.
• Shake the vehicle gently before crawling under it.

Step 2: Remove the oil filler cap and drain the oil

• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap.
• Place the drain pan under the oil pan.
• Use the 15mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain completely for several minutes.
• Torque to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs) when reinstalling the drain plug.

Step 3: Replace the oil filter

• Locate the oil filter housing on the engine.
• Use the oil filter socket (specialty) or oil filter cap wrench adapter (specialty) to loosen the filter cap.
• Remove the old filter element and old O-ring from the cap.
• Install the new O-ring and lightly coat it with clean engine oil.
• Install the new filter element into the cap and thread the cap back on by hand first.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the filter housing cap to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Install the new drain plug washer on the plug if equipped.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 15mm socket and torque wrench to tighten to 32 Nm (24 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Add new engine oil

• Lower the vehicle back to level ground.
• Use a funnel to add about 5.5 quarts first.
• Then add oil slowly until the dipstick shows near the full mark.
• The total capacity is about 5.7 quarts with filter.

Step 6: Start and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter housing.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check the oil level again and top off if needed.

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✅ After Repair

• Confirm the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
• Inspect the driveway or garage floor for drips after a short test drive.
• Reset the oil life monitor if your Explorer shows one in the instrument cluster menu.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1 hour.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.